INDIANAPOLIS – For the first time since Week Six of the 2012 season, the Colts will carry three quarterbacks on their active roster into game weekend.
With Andrew Luck listed as "questionable" for Sunday's game against Jacksonville, the Colts signed veteran Josh Johnson (29 career games, five starts) on Friday morning.
Here are sound bites from Chuck Pagano, Matt Hasselbeck and Josh Johnson:
Chuck Pagano on if he's still "supremely confident" Andrew Luck will play on Sunday:
"Absolutely."
Bowen's Analysis:* *Friday was Chuck Pagano's birthday and his gift from the media was endless questions about Andrew Luck. Pagano's common answer was Luck is "limited" and the head coach wouldn't go into detail on what the Colts starting quarterback has done at practice this week.
Pagano said Luck has dealt with this week well, in what is the first time the quarterback has been in question to play at the NFL level. Pagano said the plan to bring in another quarterback this week was always the plan given the age of Hasselbeck trying to handle all the practice reps.
Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck on Friday's practice:
"I thought Andrew looked good when he was out there (Friday) and I felt good with the more snaps I've been able to get."
Bowen's Analysis: For the third straight day, Hasselbeck had "starting quarterback" size media around his locker. Hasselbeck once again held court after a week long of practice where Chuck Pagano was pleased with what he saw from his 40-year-old backup quarterback.
Hasselbeck says he will find out Sunday, like everyone else, what his role will be come game time. In starting 151 career games, Hasselbeck has said there were times as a starter where he didn't practice all week and still was under center come Sunday. The last time Hasselbeck started in the NFL was with Tennessee in 2012.Quarterback Josh Johnson on his last 24 hours:
"I'm just excited to have a job. Being on the streets is hard, especially when you love the game.
"It's a blessing though. So many people want this opportunity. If they would have called midnight last night I would have gotten on a plane."
Bowen's Analysis: On Thursday morning, Josh Johnson was in Oakland ready to coach at his former high school. Twenty-four hours later, Johnson was tossing balls at Colts practice after signing another NFL contract.
Johnson, who has played in 29 career games (five starts), will be the likely backup on Sunday, if Andrew Luck cannot go. Johnson said on Friday that there's similar "verbage" with this offensive system based off what he has played in previously. In college, Johnson played for Jim Harbaugh at the University of San Diego.
INJURY NOTES
Here is the final injury report for the Jaguars game
- OUT: CB-Greg Toler (neck), RB-Tyler Varga (concussion)
-Varga did not practice all week. Toler still is practicing with a red jersey (non-contact). Chuck Pagano said he's hopeful to have Toler back next Thursday in Houston.
- QUESTIONABLE: TE-Dwayne Allen (ankle), QB-Andrew Luck (right shoulder)
-Allen returned to practice on Thursday and Friday and looks to be a game time decision.
- PROBABLE: CB-Darius Butler (hip), LB-Trent Cole (knee), CB-Vontae Davis (rest/ankle), WR-Andre Johnson (rest), WR-T.Y. Hilton (knee), ILB-D'Qwell Jackson (rest), OLB-Robert Mathis (rest), RB-Josh Robinson (back), OG-Hugh Thornton (knee), OLB-Bjoern Werner (rest)
-The Colts look like they will get Butler and Cole back from their respective injuries.
